2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2023 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Subaru Outback underwent a significant facelift, featuring a new front end with redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding. This design gave the Outback an aggressive appearance, further enhanced by a jutting simulated skid plate, fog lights in oversized housings, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim reminiscent of the Wilderness model. The Onyx Edition, with its black wheels and trim, complemented the bold cladding, making it a more appealing choice for those who preferred a darker paint color to tone down the design's excesses. The Outback's interior, especially in the Touring trim, was praised for its upscale feel, with Java Brown leather and contrasting stitching creating a cohesive and luxurious environment. Despite some hard plastic elements, the interior did not feel cheap, although the large infotainment screen and gloss black trim were prone to collecting dust and smudges.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a styling refresh that included new lighting elements, such as light-up VW logos and a front light bar connecting the daytime running lights. These changes gave the Atlas a more American swagger, moving away from its European influences. The rear taillights blended into a full-width light bar, housing the illuminated logo. The Atlas also introduced new wheel designs, with the SE base model featuring 18-inch alloy wheels and the SEL Premium R-Line boasting 21-inch wheels. The Atlas Peak Edition added an outdoorsy flavor with black 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and unique exterior colors. Inside, the Atlas saw a revised center cabin design, with a freestanding infotainment touchscreen and a minimalist interior that contrasted with its truck-like exterior. The interior aimed for an upscale feel with fake wood trim and weaved plastic trim, although some stitching appeared cheaper, and the overall material quality seemed more fitting for a base model.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured horizontally opposed engines, known for their flat design, which helped reduce the vehicle's center of gravity and provided a characteristic grumble and vibration. The standard engine produced 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm, but the 3,781-pound test vehicle felt underpowered, especially during passing and climbing. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 28 mpg, but real-world testing returned only 25.6 mpg. The Outback XT models offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 hp at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 rpm and 4,800 rpm, providing more satisfying acceleration. The XT models were heavier and less fuel-efficient, with most rated at 25 mpg combined. All Outback models came with a CVT that mimicked an eight-speed automatic transmission and featured an Active Torque Split AWD system. The Outback excelled off-road, handling challenging terrain with ease, and offered excellent visibility and maneuverability in urban settings. However, the standard engine's lack of power was a drawback, especially at higher elevations.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas reduced its powertrain options to a single 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, producing 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. This engine, part of VW's EA888 family, was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered standard FWD or optional AWD. The Atlas was quicker than the previous six-cylinder model, with FWD models achieving 0-60 mph in eight seconds and AWD models in 8.3 seconds. Despite the improved performance, the Atlas remained a family-oriented vehicle, prioritizing comfort over performance. The ride quality was consistent with the pre-refresh model, and the Atlas handled highway speeds smoothly, though it produced more noise than thrust. The 4Motion AWD system was designed primarily for pavement, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds for most models. The Atlas Peak Edition added all-terrain tires and an Offroad driving mode, but lacked the underbody protection needed for serious off-roading.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a purposeful roof rack, flat door sill trim, and a dashboard storage shelf. The Touring trim offered a comfortable interior with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger's seat, and heated and ventilated front seats. The rear outboard seats were also heated, and the steering wheel was heated and wrapped in premium Nappa leather. The Outback provided ample legroom and comfort for passengers, although wind noise was noticeable on the highway. The cargo space measured 32.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 75.6 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. The Outback's design made it easy to enter and exit, and the robust roof rack was ready for accessories. However, the vehicle could benefit from more practical storage space in the cabin.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas offered more standard features, including a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats on the base SE trim. The SE with Technology added a power liftgate, while the SEL trim included leather upholstery and heated second-row seats. The Atlas provided seating for seven, with a three-seat second-row bench that could split-fold, recline, and slide. Second-row captain's chairs were available, reducing seating capacity to six. The Atlas offered competitive headroom and legroom across all three rows, with the third-row legroom being the best in its class. Cargo space varied from 20.6 cubic feet with all seats in place to 96.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The Atlas provided more cargo space than most rivals, except the Chevy Traverse.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured a Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system on all trims except the Base, which had a 7-inch screen. The system included physical controls for volume, tuning, and climate control, while other functions were embedded in the touchscreen. The base system offered Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims provided wireless connectivity for Apple and Android platforms, along with access to Starlink connected services and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The infotainment system was improved for 2023, but the graphics and voice recognition system were lacking. Additional technologies included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera, though a surround-view camera was not available.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas came with more standard tech features, including a 12-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless phone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with six USB-C ports available. A head-up display was standard on SEL and higher trims, and the Atlas featured a Harman Kardon 12-speaker audio system on higher trims. The upgraded infotainment system was user-friendly, with sharp graphics and a map view in the digital instrument cluster. However, VW's reliance on haptic touchpads for controls like audio volume and headlights made them more difficult to use.

The 2023 Subaru Outback was equipped with Subaru's EyeSight system, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Outback received top safety ratings from the IIHS, including in the new side-impact crash test. The EyeSight system's adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist were accurate but felt artificial, and the rear automatic braking system was incompatible with some driveways.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The Atlas featured VW's IQ.Drive package, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The SEL Premium R-Line added park assist and a surround-view camera system. The Atlas also had features like automatic post-collision braking and an emergency assist feature.